James Shield

Sheffield United completed their pre-season schedule boasting an unbeaten record following this afternoon's draw with Hull City.

Nigel Adkins' side, who begin the new League One campaign at Gillingham on Saturday afternoon, produced another encouraging display with Jamie Murphy handing them a deserved half-time lead before Abel Hernandez levelled.

The United manager, about to enter his ninth week at the helm since taking charge in June, will have been encouraged by most aspects of his team's display with youngster Che Adams again impressing in attack.

The visitors, missing the injured Harry Maguire, named a strong starting eleven which included the likes of Michael Dawson, Nikica Jelavic and former Chesterfield midfielder Sam Clucas. But their manager Steve Bruce cut a frustrated figure on the touchline for long spells of a match which became increasingly confrontational as the afternoon progressed.

Adams has enjoyed an especially productive summer and underlined the improvements in his game with a driving 13th minute run which left Alex Bruce trailing and ended with Allan McGregor making a smart reaction block.

Callum McFadzean went close soon after but the City goalkeeper, who smothered his shot as Billy Sharp prepared to stab home on the rebound, made a dreadful error just before the break when he fumbled Murphy's shot into the back of his own net.

City asked more questions of United's defence during a second half containing the obligatory flurry of substitutions from both sides with George Long punching an inswinging corner clear after replacing Mark Howard.